Packers offensive line takes another hit after Zach Bako-Bewele ruled out for remainder of regular season

With Bako-Bewele out, a porous Green Bay offensive line is staring at needing a third distinct starting unit in as many weeks to begin the season.

The number of injuries to the unit verges on the absurd.

Starting left guard Aaron Banks (knee) was inactive for the opener and suffered a toe injury against the Jets upon returning to the starting rotation. His backup, Week 1 starter Donovan Jennings, lasted 11 snaps on Sunday before suffering a hand injury, prompting the Packers to turn to rookie fifth-rounder Jager Burton.

Following the comeback Week 2 win, Demovsky detailed the strain of the mounting injuries.

"At one point," Demovsky wrote, "when right guard Jacob Monk was being checked for a stinger, the Packers' coaches began talking about having to use tight end Tucker Kraft on the offensive line."

With Green Bay hosting the Atlanta Falcons (0-2) this Thursday, it's unclear whether Jennings or Banks will be available on short rest. If Burton is forced into a role on the first-team offense, he'd be the Packers' eighth starting lineman already this season. Anthony Belton, a 2025 second-round selection and Bako-Bewele's replacement against the Jets, is the projected starter at right tackle moving forward after starting the final seven games (including playoffs) last season at right guard.

The Packers offensive line has been a major liability through two games, and losing Bako-Bewele will make it harder to expect immediate improvements. According to ESPN Analytics, Green Bay ranks last in pass-block win rate through two games. Sumer Sports data shows quarterback Jordan Love's average pressure has come 2.36 seconds after the snap, the league's second-fastest clip.

When pressured, Love has been among the league's worst quarterbacks, too. Per NFL Pro data, his 38.5 percent completion percentage is 15.8 percentage points worse than expected, which only ranks better than Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud's negative-17.6 percent complete rate over expected. His negative-0.55 expected points added per dropback when under pressure ranks No. 23 out of 32 quarterbacks.

Until the Packers (1-1) shore up their offensive line, it will be hard to trust them as a playoff contender. Entering Week 3, the unit is already in much worse shape than when the season began.